2026 has got off to a belting start as I made my way down to Gorilla for my first gig of 2026. I was incredibly excited to finally catch one of THE bands of the moment The Molotovs, having previous been unable to attend their show the last time they played Manchester.
The event was curated by BBC Radio 6 DJ and all round nice guy Chris Hawkins, certainly one of the hardest working chaps in the industry, always at the epicentre, bringing us the best new music with his ‘Awesome Friends’ evenings.
I arrived just on time for the second support, Pyncher who are one of my favourite local bands, having followed these guys for a number of years I was delighted to see them and also hear their new tracks. The four piece have built up a steady following over the last four years, with their catchy melodies that stick on your head long after the gig. The baselines are exceptional and hold the whole sound together, and I can hear an eclectic blend of inspiration from Blur, to T-Rex and The Birthday Party! Certainly a band you need to catch live, with Sam Blakeley’s vocals and stage presence making him a perfect frontman.
The headliners tonight need little introduction, having captured the hearts of music fans across the country. The Molotovs, consisting of brother and sister duo Mathew and Issey. Their on stage energy is already being dubbed iconic, with Issey’s chaotically beautiful movement and Mathew’s more laid back approach, giving off steely Paul Weller vibes in his perfectly tailored attire.
The band have garnered praise from Weller himself, and it is easy to see why. Reviving the mod culture, and securing high profile support slots with big names, is seems 2026 is going to be their year. At only 17 and 18 years old, their sound is incredibly mature and they have gained an audience of both young and old, as is evident this evening in this sold out crowd.
The highlights for me were the tracks ‘Wasting my Time’ which showcases Issey’s more subdued and delicate vocals, and ‘Get a Life’ which displayed their exceptional musicianship and proved that this duo are a band that thrive in a live setting. I am very much looking forward to seeing them again soon, Certainly a contender for gig of the year and we are only two weeks into January!
FOR ALL ON PYNCHER HEAD HERE
FOR MORE ON THE MOLOTOVS HEAD HERE – FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // LINKTREE
THE LATEST RGM MUSIC NEWS CAN BE FOUND HERE!
